Fifty Five cadets arrived to the ISP Academy in Springfield prepared to endure an extensive 25-week training program and are expected to graduate in July, 2013. Once training is completed, Cadets will join the ISP ranks as Probationary Troopers and receive assignments to various districts statewide.

The ISP Academy is including cross cultural awareness and diversity training as part of the educational curriculum. Incorporating this basic understanding and awareness of diversity will give cadets better insight into the different communities they will serve.

"Today marks the beginning of a long training journey for these dedicated men and women who will soon join the ranks to become part of the ISP’s proud tradition,” said ISP Director Hiram Grau. “It is the priority of this Organization and the State of Illinois to ensure that adequate police resources are available to serve and protect the citizens of Illinois. At the end of their training, this new class of cadets will be ready to support that public safety mission,” he added.

“The training will physically, emotionally, and intellectually challenge these men and women to understand the basic tenets of law enforcement,” said ISP Training Academy Commander Kevin Poehls. “When their training is completed, these cadets will be held to the highest standard of accountability unlike no other profession,” he stressed.

In addition to the 25-week Academy Training, Probationary Troopers are also required to participate in one-on-one mentoring with Field Training Officers (FTO) under a 14-week field training program, expanding their training to 39 weeks. Probationary Troopers who successfully complete the training with an FTO are advanced to solo-patrol status, where they will join the ranks of Troopers on patrol to safeguard the citizens and State of Illinois.

The application process for Cadet Class 121 is currently closed. Anyone interested in joining the ranks of the Illinois State Police is encouraged to visit the Illinois State Police Merit Board website at www.illinoistrooper.com for future application availability and testing dates.